Seroprevalance Of Cytomegalovirus Coinfection And Its Risk Factors Among Hiv Patients Attending Specialist Hospital,Sokoto

Abstract

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is a common opportunistic infection among people living with HIV, contributing significantly to morbidity and mortality, particularly in resource limited settings. The study was carried out to determine the seroprevalence of CMV and its risk factors among HIV infected patients attending specialist hospital Sokoto. A total of 111 blood samples were collected from HIV positive patients. Samples were analyzed for the presence of CMV IgG and IgM antibodies using ELISA kit. Risk factors which includes both behavioral and demographic risk factors were identified through the administration of a questionnaire. The seropositive samples were successfully screened by conventional PCR to determine the presence of CMV DNA Viremia. The results indicated the CMV overall seroprevalence of 54% for IgG and 33% for IgM recorded among HIV infected patients attending specialist hospital Sokoto. CMV predominates among the females HIV positive individuals (55.1%) within the age group of 54 years and above. Based on marital status, divorced participants have the highest prevalence of (64.00%). From the educational status secondary school attendees have the highest prevalence of (73.33%). Others are business owners (57.63%) and upper income earners (75.0%). The risk factors analysis identified sexually transmitted infection, exposure to children and blood transfusion as significant predictors of CMV seropositivity. PCR analysis of IgG seropositive samples revealed a seroprevalence of 33.3% detectable CMV DNA Viremia, which indicated a high rate of latent or recurrent CMV infection. Similarly, CMV DNA was not detected in the IgM seropositive samples tested. Therefore, routing monitoring to mitigate the risks of CMV-related complications is essential, particularly in immunocompromised patients.

Keywords: Cytomegalovirus (CMV), seroprevalence, seropositivity, co infection, risk factors.